Light game system and method

ABSTRACT

A light game system and method. An example light game system includes a game board having a plurality of segments. The example light game system also includes a light source configured to generate a light beam on the game board. The example light game system also includes a plurality of game pieces configured to be moved in the plurality of segments. At least one of the game pieces has a surface configured to reflect the light beam from the light source during game play.

BACKGROUND

Game systems are popular among players of all ages. Traditional board games, while still popular, have given way to video games, computer games, and more recently, online games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate an example light game system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example game piece of the light game system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example game piece manipulator of the light game system.

FIGS. 4A-C illustrate top views of example game pieces of the light game system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A light game system and method is disclosed. The system may include a light (e.g., provided by a laser beam). The light may indicate position and/or moves of a player by reflecting the laser light beam (e.g., between game pieces and/or between game pieces and a game board and/or external components). While intersection of the beam with the pieces or an endpoint may trigger a signal, the light beam itself may also visible to the players. In an example, the game board enhances the players' experience by producing a visible light beam. For example, a vapor/smoke or “fog” chamber may be provided as described below.

An example light game system and method are disclosed as these may be implemented in a game board having a playing surface and a cavity for holding electronic components. The cavity and playing surface may be encased by a transparent structure. The playing surface may have a plurality of segments. In an example, a plurality of game pieces, a light source (e.g., a laser light), and a vapor source may be provided. The vapor source may vaporize water to produce a mist, and/or be configured to produce smoke.

The game pieces and/or game board may have at least one surface for reflecting light from the light source. The game pieces may be engaged using a game piece manipulator. In an example, the game piece may comprise a ferrous metal which may be engaged by a magnetic game piece manipulator. In another example, the game piece may have a remote receiver, and the game piece manipulator sends a signal to the remote receiver to control movement of the game piece.

An example method of playing a game by opposed players is also presented. The method comprises a first step of placing each player's set of playing pieces in designated segment(s) in a pre-determined starting configuration. In a second step, each player may take turns moving the game pieces and/or activating the light source. Game play may be enhanced by the vapor source. Game play may continue according to any suitable rules for play, e.g., until one player illuminates the opposing player's key piece.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate an example light game system 100. The light game system 100 may include a board game 101 having an upper clear or transparent cover 102. It is noted that manipulations of the game pieces 103 may take place through the cover 102, as described below. The transparent cover 102 provides a sealed chamber (e.g., wherein the game players cannot touch the game pieces during game play and wherein a vapor or fog is enclosed within the chamber). The transparent cover 102 enables visualization of a light beam 104 during play, while the chamber formed thereby helps maintain the game pieces 103 free of dust and fingerprints and/or other debris which may interfere with the reflective surface of the game pieces 103. In other examples, however, the transparent cover 102 need not be provided.

At least one light source 106 a-b (e.g., in the game board 101 and/or adjacent to the game board 101) may be activated to produce a light beam 104 (e.g., a laser light beam from opening 107 a-b, respectively). In an example, the light sources 106 a-b may be housed in light generating compartment(s) on the game board 101. Game pieces 103 may be moved in segments 105, and reflect the light beam 104 along various light paths on the game board 101.

At least one vapor source 110 a-b may also be provided (e.g., in the game board 101 and/or adjacent to the game board 101). In an example, the vapor source 110 a-b may be housed in a vapor source compartment(s) on the game board 101. Game play may be enhanced by the vapor source, e.g., by producing a vapor in a chamber formed between the segments 105 and the cover 102 of the game board 101. The vapor source may be activated to release vapor from opening 108. In an example, the vapor may be a mist such as a liquid mist (e.g., vaporized water). In another example, the vapor may be a smoke. The vapor produced in this chamber may make the light beam 104 more visible to the player(s).

The game board 101 may also include a battery (or other power source) and/or electronics compartment 111 to house power and/or electronics, e.g., for the light source and/or vapor source.

The light game system 100 is not limited to any particular rules of play. An example method of playing a game may include a first step of placing each player's set of playing pieces in designated segment(s) in a pre-determined starting configuration. In a second step, each player may take turns moving the game pieces and/or activating the light source. Game play may continue according to any suitable rules for play, e.g., until one player illuminates the opposing player's key piece.

The game board 101 and/or the game pieces 103 may be configured to reflect at least a portion of the light beam 104. In an example, light may be reflected at any suitable angle onto other game pieces 103 and/or onto the game board 101 and/or auxiliary components positioned on or off the game board 101.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example game piece of the light game system. In FIG. 2, the example game piece 103 includes an upper portion 201 and a lower portion 202. The upper portion 201 may be configured to reflect light (e.g., the light beam 104). An example configuration of the upper portion 201 may include a reflective surface and/or various angles for reflecting light at different angles. The lower portion 202 may be configured to be situated in the game board 101, e.g., in segment 105 as illustrated by arrows 203 a-c in FIG. 2.

In an example, the lower portion 202 may include a connection, such as a physical and/or a magnetic component with the segment 105. An interconnect between the lower portion 202 and the segment may be provided to ensure proper alignment of the game piece 103 with the segment 105 of the game board 101. In an example, the game piece 103 may be engaged with, and more readily moved, using a game piece manipulator.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example game piece manipulator 300 of the light game system. In an example, the game piece manipulator 300 and the upper surface of the game piece 103 may each include a magnetic component (e.g., ferrous metal and a magnet; or vice versa).

The game piece manipulator 300 enables the game piece and game piece manipulator may be temporarily brought into close proximity to one another such that the game piece 103 rises up from the segment 105 of the game board 101 toward the game piece manipulated, e.g., as illustrated by arrow 302 a. The game piece 103 can then be moved to another segment 105 by positioning the game piece manipulator 103 at the desired location on the game board 101. The game piece manipulator 103 can then be raised away from the surface 102 of the game board 101 to release the game piece 103, so that the game piece 103 falls into the segment 105, e.g., as illustrated by arrow 302 b.

Other examples to move the game piece 103 are also contemplated. For example, the game piece 103 may be fitted with a wireless transmittal or remote receiving system for directing movement of the game piece.

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

FIGS. 4A-C illustrate top views of example game pieces of the light game system. In an example, the angle of the reflective surface dictates which angle the laser light beam is reflected.

In FIG. 4A the game piece 103′ is shown including a substantially zero degree surface 400 (relative to the direction of light beam travel). This surface configuration may be used to reflect the incident light beam 401 diagonally. The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented.

In FIG. 4B the game piece 103″ is shown including a substantially 22.5 degree offset surface 410 (relative to the direction of light beam travel). This surface configuration may be used to reflect the incident light 411 a or 411 b at either a 45 or 135 degree angle (based on the incident angle). Depending on the position of the game piece 103″ in the segment 105, the same game piece 103″ may be positioned to reflect light at a first angle (e.g., 45 degrees in a first position relative to the incoming light beam 411 a) or a second angle (e.g., 135 degrees in a second position relative to the incoming light beam 411 b).

In FIG. 4C the game piece 103′″ is shown including a substantially 45 degree offset surface 420 (relative to the direction of light beam travel). This surface configuration may be used to reflect a light beam 421 at an angle of about 90 degrees from which the light beam originated.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated. 

1. A light game system comprising: a game board having a plurality of segments; a light source configured to generate a light beam on the game board; a plurality of game pieces configured to be moved in the plurality of segments; and wherein at least one of the game pieces has a surface configured to reflect the light beam from the light source during game play.
 2. The light game system of claim 1, further comprising a chamber formed between a transparent cover and the plurality of segments of the game board.
 3. The light game system of claim 1, further comprising a vapor source to generate a vapor on the game board to enhance visibility of the light beam.
 4. The light game system of claim 1, further comprising a game piece manipulator configured to move the game pieces on the game board.
 5. The light game system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the game pieces has a magnetic component to engage with the game piece manipulator.
 6. The light game system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the game pieces has an interconnect to engage with the segments of the game board
 7. The light game system of claim 1, wherein the game pieces have a surface configured to reflect the light beam at a predetermined angle.
 8. The light game system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the game pieces has a substantially 0 degree reflective surface.
 9. The light game system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the game pieces has a substantially 22.5 degree offset reflective surface.
 10. The light game system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the game pieces has a substantially 45 degree reflective surface.
 11. A light game system comprising: a game board; a light source configured to generate a laser light beam across an upper surface of the game board; at least one game piece configured to reflect the laser light beam.
 12. The light game system of claim 11, further comprising a sealed chamber of the game board, wherein game play commences within the sealed chamber.
 13. The light game system of claim 12, further comprising a vapor source to generate a vapor or fog in the sealed chamber to enhance visibility of the light beam in the sealed chamber.
 14. The light game system of claim 11, further comprising a transparent cover enclosing the at least one game piece within the game board.
 15. The light game system of claim 14, further comprising a game piece manipulator configured to move the game pieces under the transparent cover.
 16. The light game system of claim 11, further comprising a game piece manipulator configured to move the game pieces without touching the game pieces.
 17. The light game system of claim 11, wherein the game pieces are configured to reflect the light beam at a predetermined angle relative to an incoming direction of the light beam.
 18. A method comprising: providing a game board with a plurality of game pieces in a sealed chamber under a transparent cover; generating a light beam within the sealed chamber of the game board; reflecting the light beam in the sealed chamber among the plurality of game pieces on the game board.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising generate a vapor in the sealed chamber to enhance visibility of the light beam in the vapor chamber.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising moving one of the plurality of game pieces in the sealed chamber without touching the moving game piece. 